To Leave or Not to Leave, That is His Question

I'm a 32 year old marketing guy from Singapore. I got the Skilled (Migrant) (class VE) subclass 175 (Skilled - Independent) visa some years ago. I'd already made my first entry but I haven't made my move to Australia permanently yet.

Thing is, my visa expires April 2017. I'd gotten it with my ex-wife as a secondary applicant and after we parted ways, I couldn't be bothered to move. I thought I'd just stay in Singapore. But then, life took a turn and I met a girl, we got married and we now have a little boy.

He's 2 years old now and recently, I can't help wondering if I'm depriving him of a better future in Australia.

I called up AIMS and they said there's no way for me to extend my visa and that I should just try and move to Australia as soon as possible. When the time comes to renew my visa, I should just show how I've made the effort to make Australia my home and hopefully, they'd give me another year to really get my shit together.

I'm terrified. I was jobless for the most part of 2015 and it sucked. 2016 has been really good to me though. This job at NEA pays really well and I can really work at settling my debts and loans.

The thought of quitting this job that I just got in May to start a new life in Australia with pretty much nothing is terrifying. I don't wanna put my family in the situation we were in in 2015.

I came across your post and it gave me renewed hope. I have no qualms about doing blue collar jobs but how easy is it to find these jobs? I'm thinking of bringing along at least $5000 with me to Australia.

I've been thinking hard about this for the past few days. The earliest I can make my move will be in Dec 2016 or Jan 2017. I'll only have about 3 months till my visa expires in April 2017. If I get my visa renewed, great. If not, I'll have to come back to Singapore and look for a job again. It's scary.

I guess I'm looking for advice. Or maybe I just needed to talk to someone. Thanks for your blog man. And I really hope to hear from you. Thanks!

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A

Hi A

They say the economic cycles repeats every 7 years. Just saying, but what a coincidence that I was jobless during most of 2008 in Singapore. How time flies.

If your PR expires in 2nd quarter 2017, "by right" you have already failed to fulfill the requirements of living 2 years within 5 years in Australia. Thus the immigration department can reject the renewal request of your PR, no questions about it. However, this is Australia not Singapore. You get a lot more compassion (compared to "law-by-law") here. Your migration agent was probably correct. If you move before the expiry of your visa, explain why you came late when it is time for renewal and demonstrate your strong intentions to stay and contribute, Australia tends to give you a chance to prove it.

However, your situation is a little more complicated. Though your PR will not be affected due to your divorce, your current wife and son do not have the visas to move here permanently with you. With the time frame you are working with, there is no way you can apply for them on time. Thus you will have to cope with separation from your family till you settle their visa issues. Alternatively they can visit or stay with you on short-term tourist visas but they will have to return to Singapore when the visas expires.

The decision is in your own hands. Short term pain, long term gain or Stand Up for Singapore. It's your call bro.

"I left the door unlocked so that you can come in because I love you so much."

- Albany, 21/11/2016

Emails 2017

Hi Nix,

I came across your interesting blog and wish to ask on your honest opinion.

Do you think it's a good idea to pay 6 months worth of house rental in advanced to secure a place to stay before we go over. Our situation makes it a little difficult to look for one in Darwin with 2 dogs that we couldn't leave behind. And we don't have a job there yet. Oh, we have gotten a 489 visa. And we are intending to move somewhere in June with our 2 dogs and an almost 2 year old kid.

Appreciate your intake on this.

Thanks a lot!

Hi Elaine,

The housing market is currently quite depressed so it should not be difficult to find rental properties. I don't think it is a good idea to pay 6 months in advance at all. You shouldn't find it a problem to get one. If you face any difficulties, let me know the details and see if I can give you ideas.

Hi,

Saw your blog while searching on Singaporean based overseas and hopeful can meet a bunch of you all if i ever go over eventually.

For myself after looking at migrating or completing the process before i do not have enough points to qualify.

Basing on my current situation, it seems since my CV is leaning towards the marketing and financial field. Which in this case seems only Adelaide and Darwin is the only option for Subclass 190.

Do you know any fellow Singaporeans based in either place?

Anyway, for me is more towards wanting a more laid back life and changing the environment. Ideal situation would be to work another 10 years before settling with a small farm land in the country in Aussie. But my worry is whether i would be able to secure a job in Aussie especially with my advance in age 38?

Lastly, any good advice for a frog in the well on his migration journey to aussie?

Many thanks in advance

Regards

Stanley

Hi Stanley,

If you cannot qualify for skilled migration on points, you will not be able to work here, unless you find an employer who is willing to hire you for your skill set and apply for a work visa for you. It is unlikely in this economic climate but may be your only chance.

Dear NIx,

Good day!

I have been reading your blog and decided to migrate to Australia.

I have been researching on how to go about migrating to Australia and unfortunately, I seem to have hit a road block, thus writing this email to seek your advice on which type of visa should i apply.

I will be turning 36 next year. BE Chemical Engineering from UNSW (Stayed in Sydney for 2.5 years and graduated in 2008). Msc in Maritime Studies from NTU (Graduating in June 2017). Currently working as a Business Development Manager in the Shipping Industry. I have also attached my CV for your reference.

I am confident of getting 60 points in the Points Test BUT my current job is not on the SOL list.

My mother's cousin is a PR in Australia and she and her family are living in Perth (I do not know whether this information helps)

I was thinking of taking part time courses in ITE in Electrical Wiring, Residential Plumbing or Air Conditioning and Refrigeration since these jobs are on the SOL list.

Any advice will be really appreciated.

Regards,

Colin Soh

Dear Colin,

First thing first, I would like to know how you qualify for 60 points in the Points Test. Will you be able to provide a breakdown ?

*Please note that if your occupation is not on the SOL, you will not be able to claim points for work experience nor academic qualifications.

Hey buddy!

Was scrolling through and landed on your site. Loved the Art of Survival; plain, blunt yet simple.

I'm a local Sporean dude and just got my PR. Currently workin on contract job and planning to move down under. I realise getting a job in Oz from Spore isn't gonna be easy. Thought of giving it a try since its been just a month. Plan B is to just move and get an unpaid internship for 3 mths. Any advise?

Kind regards,

Hi dude,

To be honest, I don't have a single clue about unpaid internship or anything like that. If you manage to get one of those, I will appreciate if you can let us know the details so we can all learn from you.

I apologise for being painfully obvious but if you find it hard to find a job in Australia from Singapore, then come here and look!

Hello,

My name is Adam and I cam across your blog about migrating to Australia. I would love some advice or experience that you can share with me with regards to my questions.

First of all, I am a US bachelor grad in Mechanical Engineering and worked in the US for 2.5 years. I am a Chinese Malaysian and I'm 25 years old by March (2017). Do you have any ideas or suggestions on migrating to Australia? The subclass 189 doesn't allow me to accumulate enough points because of my work experience did not meet the requirement of 3 years which I was told that usually the Australia immigration officer pay the most attention to. If you disagree with that statement, I would like to hear your advice on that.

The other way I thought is by studying my Masters degree there and while studying, I could think of an idea to set up a business there. Didn't research much into this path but if you have experience with this path, I appreciate a lot if you are willing to share.

Thank you very much and hope to hear from you soon,

Regards,

Adam

Hi Adam,

It sounds really simple. Choose the path of least resistance. Work for 3 years to gain your 60 points then! You'll need the funds to relocate anyway.